Quay Street Church, Thursday 26th October. The Right Hon. the Lord Deben, the former chair of the UK Climate Change Committee, previous Secretary of State for the Environment and MP for Suffolk Coastal, now sits outside in the Lords, speaks openly against Government failure to act decisively in response to energy
River Deben Association’s Autumn. Nehru green wool jacket over red trousers and jaunty plimsolls. He reminds me of Jeremy Fisher.
He opened offering hope in the face of catastrophe: we have shifted, remember back before 2018 when he had to start all climate talks on why it’s real in the face of scepticism. ‘I don’t have to do that now’. Progress.
(Progress – thinking Straw Dogs book recently reminded of it thorugh Charlie, a book which challenges our belief in it. Progress has bought us new hips and knees which got us here tonight)
Delivery is so much more difficult than policy.
Important to build on the Climate Change Act (2008 – under labour). Five voted against it ( Christopher Chope, Philip Davies, Peter Lilley, Andrew Tyrie, and Ann Widdecombe. Among the critics giving evidence was Lord Lawson who argued that the entire concept was counter-productive because humans would easily be able to adapt to the worst predictions of a 4-degree rise in temperature by the end of the century because, with an average world economic growth of 2%, they would be “seven times as well off as we are today”, therefore it was not reasonable to impose a sacrifice on the “much poorer present generation”)
He decried the current building of homes with out energy technology. Persimons homes – everyone will have to be retro fitted.
Why is Climate Change not on your literature? He asked a councillor. Because it never comes up on the door step” So change it. Ask your local MP. CC is an essential question – get it out there.
Paris was a mile stone. Glasgow – Borris did well – 90% of industrial nations committed to Net Zero by 2050. But we have fallen away since then. Off shore targets too low.Price of construction risen. The cost will be born by tax payer.
Ambition, consistency, committment – Ford
Tax on UK private planes
Has two pops at greens. The first thing they did in mid-suffolk was oppose a solar farm. Natalie Bennet said, we need system change, what we do individually will never be enough. She is not right.
Woodbridge questions were very Woodbridge. What others can do – if only people would turn off their car engines when idle. What to do about David Richie a climate denier? Only John Taylor asked sensible question – what about community ownership of energy. Rachel’s question he kicked into the long grass. You have to sup with the devil, using a long spoon.
Penelope, Martin and Katies daughter were there by surprise. Penelope a remarkable and sprightly 87! Such a joy to see her and feel that life long connection through Pam who was 91 when she died. Not sure I knew that.
Kalikellett 